There sure is a lot going on in this excellent mystery. Somehow I missed the first in the series but, after reading Long Gone, I'm going to play catchup. Annalisa Vega is a complicated character who goes all out to work a case. In the first book, Gone For Good, she made a mess of her personal life while doing her job. Her relationships with her family and her fellow officers took a big hit. Now she has to carry that along with her while she tries to solve two cases - one fresh and one cold. It hits close to home because her best friend/former sister-in-law, is romantically involved with a person of interest. Add to that, her partner is also her ex-husband who wants to make some changes in their relationship. I said it was complicated.
The current homicide victim was a cop, a member of the Fantastic Four and they have lots of secrets to keep hidden. The cold case suspect is dating her former sister-in-law. Annalisa is smart enough to catch the killer and she sometimes (often) shall we say, pushes the envelope beyond what's safe. I like that about her. She's an intelligent, strong, focused female cop in a male dominated world and that means she takes risks. She has to work twice as hard.
While I did have to pay close attention to the characters, sometimes having to backtrack a bit to sort it out in my mind, it wasn't enough to make me stop. I enjoyed everything else about the mystery and will be sure to save a space on my TBR list for the next in the series.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars, rounded up. Joanna Schaffhausen has quickly become one of my favorite crime writers, and Annalisa Vega's story as continued in this one continues to be really compelling. She's wrestling with the events of the previous book and what that's meant for her personal and professional relationships (read book one first, if you can!) when a complicated, major case that also has implications for her family lands in her lap. This is a really solid procedural with great investigative work being detailed, and the personal connections really make this an excellent character piece as well. Long may this series go on.

Detective Annalisa Vega's life is in tatters after making a decision that tore her family apart. Without their support and with most of her fellow officers turned against her, Anna is basically on her own. So when a fellow cop, Leo Hammond, turns up murdered, Anna figures she has little to lose in investigating his murder. She quickly learns Leo had a recent altercation with wealthy Moe Bocks, whom he had long suspected in the murder of a young woman in a cold case. When Anna learns Moe is dating her (kinda, former) sister-in-law, she hones in on him in the way only Anna can, putting both her life and career in jeopardy.

Well, this was just as dark, excellent, and thought-provoking as all of Schaffhausen's books. I love her writing so much, and I'm now really loving the Annalisa Vega series (this is book #2), even if she frustrates me sometimes with her impulsive behavior. She also makes a lot of decisions that stress me out and, because I'm attached to her, make me worry about her! That's good writing, as I care about the character.

I highly recommend reading the first book in the series, because it's good, though this book does stand-alone. I won't go into much detail about what Anna did in book one, other than to say that her personal life with her once close-knit Chicago family is pretty much in shambles. She's partnered with her ex-husband Nick, a man who cheated on her while they were wed, but has her back now. When they find Leo Hammond dead, his new and much younger wife claims she saw a "frogman" in a wet-suit before he was killed. Is Kayla telling the truth or did she kill her husband for the insurance money? Why would anyone be running around the cold streets of Chicago in a diving suit?

"She'd blown up her whole life last year and Nick was the only one left standing in the ashes."

What follows is an excellent mystery coupled with a strong character-driven story. Anna becomes intensely fixated on the cold case related to Moe Bocks, who is suspected of strangling a young woman many years ago. All of this ties together with Leo and three fellow cops, Tom, Paulie, and Frankie. As Anna delves into Leo's death, she realizes these four cops may not be on the up-and-up, which certainly isn't going to get her any more love from the police department.

Schaffhausen offers us complicated and realistic characters, as always, starting with Anna, then Nick, and even our quartet of cops. She embraces the Chicago setting (there's a line about the Bulls and Michael Jordan going to the Wizards that is so Windy city and on point...) and brings it to life perfectly (this from someone with both parents from these Chicago suburbs).

If you love a strong and dark mystery populated with excellent characters, you'll love LONG GONE.

Long Gone was a really delightful sophomore series novel. Joanna Shaffhausen dove right in where we left off with Annalisa in book 1 and threw us into the familial angst now being experienced by the Vega Family.

My only complaint with the book was that we simply had too many victims and too many "who done its". We have the victim that's stated in the descriptor, Tom who was murdered in his bedroom by a someone in a diver's wet suit. (Yes, you read that right). We also have two older cases that involve the victims Josie Blanchard, a French medical student and Sandra Romero, a waitress at a shady club.

Schaffhausen takes us back in time several years and also introduces us to The Fantastic Four; a group of police officers who had lots of gang and drug busts under their belts. In my opinion the Josie Blanchard murder only added to the story by adding increased familiay conflict amongst the Vegas. It's unnecessary given the the events that occurred in Book One. The tension is already there. Let that in itself be enough.

The Sandra Romero story did contribute to the plot and added knowledge for readers. Two who-done-its is enough given that we then have increased characters, more timelines and events to keep track of.

The overall writing is well done and I love that Schaffhausen doesn't dump tons of police, legal jargon on us. There's some of that but I would never label this as a "cop drama". Yes they're police officers but I would label it more familial mystery (if that's a thing). The Vega family continues to be the main focus and descriptions of Mother Maria's meatballs, Sunday meals and around the table banter still are a central focus. I'm looking forward to Book 3, hopefully in Summer 2023!

I am honored I will say to be able to read this ARC, and this being the second time to do so from this author and the series. Book 1 was amazing, and I knew this book will not disappoint, Annalisa is so BAD ASS, I love this woman, not only does she NOT give up, she sees things differently, she puts herself in situations that are risky but to get to the truth she will do what she has to do. And I am loving that she still has Nick as her partner who is actually her ex husband, even though it didn’t work marriage wise, they are amazing partners in the workforce.

In this book we have a murder of one of their own, in his home. And this opened a whole can of worms, because Leo was part of a very popular group of 4 policemen who are popular and known to have the most busts in cases that include drugs, and such. But I knew there will be more than just that when it comes to Annalisa. We have a huge case of who done it? And why are these cops being targeted? They are dropping like flies, and Anna is thinking, can other cases be related? Do these cops have a Hex on their heads, someone seeking revenge? Who knows, but the way Annalisa cracks into everything kept me glued to this book.

I love the way this author writes, right when you think you got it solved, there is more and more to solve, there are secrets revealed, the right people arrested, and also Annalisa finding herself, finally letting go of the past hurts, book 1 has to be read in order to understand this woman, and finally becomes vulnerable which was amazing to read.

A huge congrats to the author on her launch day!

I like Joanna Schaffhausen's style of writing - brisk and concise. She's fast becoming a favorite of mine with her intriguing mysteries. Her characters are unusual and believable. Though she writes books for a series, they stand alone well too.

This is one of my new favorite series. Long Gone is the second in the series but except for some of the personal stuff, could totally be read alone. You will immediately go back and read the first book so do yourself a favor and start there.

I love a good detective story. One with a strong, badass female lead is even better. I cannot wait until the next book in this series.

Long Gone is book 2 in the Annalisa Vega series. I loved the first on and this one also.

Annalisa is dealing with the fall out of turning her brother and father in for murder. The family wants nothing to do with her and her fellow officers are wary of her as well. I guess they should be because this book has more than one crooked cop and Annalisa won't let that stop her.

Annalisa and Nick are on the case of the murder of fellow cop Leo Hammond Leo is part of a group of detectives famous for their ability to solve crimes. They also have more than average rate of complaints against them.

One of the prime suspects is dating her friend and she also believes he got away with killing his former girlfriend.
Annalisa is in a hard spot for sure. But she is tenacious and does not stop until she gets to the truth, no matter who it involves.

I love that the main character is flawed but also very relatable. We get to know her quite well throughout the first two books in the series. I can't wait to see what is in store for her next!

Many thanks to netgalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

Annalisa Vega is back in Long Gone! For those of us Gone For Good fans wondering how Chicago Police Detective Vega would put her life back together, your answers are provided in this excellent sequel.

For those of you who haven’t met Annalisa yet, STOP. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Long Gone is not the book you’re looking for…yet. Long Gone is not a standalone novel. You must read Gone For Good first to understand the relationships and conflicts between the characters based on the events of the first book. Would you walk into a theater halfway through a movie and be able to enjoy the rest of that movie? Nope. Don’t cheat yourself of the pleasure of reading the whole story. Once you’ve read Gone For Good, you’ll be ready and eager to grab Long Gone.

Wow, Annalisa was shattered by the end of Gone For Good and is struggling in a new reality where her relationships with family, friends, and coworkers are strained after her actions after solving the Lovelorn Killer case. Partner/ex-husband Nick Carelli seems to be the only one on her side, but even their professional and personal relationships are heading for the crossroads. Vega and Carelli are assigned to track down a cop killer. Some resentful cops see a chance for revenge for Annalisa’s actions in the Lovelorn Killer case and try to frame her for the crimes she is investigating. As more bodies pile up, it gets harder for Annalisa to solve the case and escape being framed for murder. She’ll leave collateral damage in her wake - lives are ruined, some are lost - and considers it a necessary part of solving her case.

Annalisa’s struggling through deeply strained personal relationships. While she claims she wants to rebuild, she plays the victim instead of recognizing others’ pain. She’s hurt but fails to acknowledge that other people hurt too. More than one person asks her to just visit certain family members, but she chooses to wallow in her own pain instead. Then she learns that other strained relationships are mending, and she laments that she’s left out. The only way her relationships will mend is if she makes an effort to rebuild the relationship. Even then, she still expects others to give up their plans and choose hers instead.

I like a flawed heroine, and Annalisa Vega definitely fits that bill. Schaffhausen does an excellent job of showing the motivations behind each of the characters, even though Annalisa remains self-absorbed. I felt frustrated that Annalisa could not see where she was the impediment to repairing relationships. I groaned every time Annalisa told her fellow officers what she was going to do then quickly changed her mind when the mood struck her. It is a delicate balance to make situations clear to the reader when the character remains oblivious, and Schaffhausen expertly walks that fine line. Annalisa makes a number of mistakes, but I was always on her side, hoping she’d figure things out and repair her reputation and her relationships.


Long Gone is an excellent combination of a twisty mystery with deeply developed characters. Thriller fans will enjoy the book…but only if they’ve read Gone For Good first.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing a review copy of the book.

Joanna Schaffhausen can do no wrong! She is one of my favorite authors. Long Gone is the second book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. Here she is investigating the murder of a fellow Chicago pd officer. Because of things that happened in the first book (I won't share any info as not to spoil the story), she's definitely not a favorite of some other police officers and this makes for a tough environment for Vega. This story is full of suspense and drama. Great character development, especially as we continue to get to know Vega and her inner circle better. This is a great series and I highly recommend!!

Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen is a highly recommended police procedural and the second book in the Annalisa Vega series.

Chicago detective Annalisa Vega is still dealing with personal fallout from a previous decision that affected her relationship with her family and other officers have lost trust in her. When she and Nick Carelli, her partner and ex-husband, are called in to investigate the fatal shooting of veteran detective Leo Hammond, she knows her investigation will be questioned. Immediately part of Leo's team, detectives Frankie Vaughn and Paul Monk show up. They worked with Leo and detective Tom Osborne as part of the fantastic four and want to take over the investigation. Then there is Leo's much younger wife who claims an intruder in a black wetsuit and diving mask killed him. Or could Moe Bocks be responsible? He is still the main suspect from a previous murder and he and Leo had a run-in a month earlier. Bocks also has a tie to her best friend.

This is a complicated, detail oriented procedural that combines the complex investigation with personal challenges. Pay attention to the various characters involved because this novel has plenty of them and they all play a role in the intricate narrative. This is my first Annalisa Vega novel and I didn't feel like much backstory was lost by not reading the first, Gone For Good. Knowing more of her backstory might have helped with the complicated family relationships, but enough is explained that readers should be able to grasp the essentials.

Annalisa is portrayed as a realistic but flawed character. She is tenacious, intelligent, introspective, and determined which all works together to create an interesting character who will likely have some longevity in a series. The other supporting characters are also developed as interesting individuals in this character driven procedural.

The writing is excellent. The suspense and tension starts immediately and continues throughout the complicated plot. Trying to guess the outcome is not going to be easy for sleuths reading Long Gone. There is so much going on that the real question is how can all these plot and subplots actually be wrapped up by the end in a satisfying conclusion.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Minotaur Books via NetGalley.
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Edelweiss, Google Books, and Amazon.

I dearly love summer. One of the main reasons is some of my favorite authors have book releases during the summer. Joanna Schaffhausen second series is released in August, just when I need a reminder of just why I love summer. Schaffhausen’s August treat for this year is Long Gone (Detective Annalisa Vega #2) a terrific book that lays to rest any doubt about Schaffhausen’s longevity as a master storyteller.
Long Gone grabs you from the beginning and does not let you go until the very last drop. See, easy enough.to review. Oh, wait, I guess I’m supposed to explain how the book works its magic.
In the first book of the Annalisa Vega series, Gone for Good, Chicago detective Annalisa Vega tears her family apart and guts the thin blue line of the Chicago Police Department over a murder that took place twenty years ago. Annalisa also lost the love of her life for the second time during all of the fallout.
Now, Annalisa is paying the price for her actions in solving the murder of a beloved neighbor. Everyone seems to forget she also solved the murder of a prolific serial killer. Annalisa’s only visible allies now are her supervisor and her ex-husband, now partner, Nick Carelli.
Annalisa and Nick are called to the palatial home of Chicago P.D. detective, Leo Hammond. He is a long-time member of The Fantastic Four. The Four are famous for their high solve rate, personal injury rate, and high body count. The remaining three detectives show up on the scene, beyond distraught, but still immediately objecting to Annalisa’s presence. Despite the animosity, the detectives do give Annalisa a viable suspect, Moe Bocks, since Bocks and Leo had a very unpleasant encounter recently.
Bocks was the only suspect in the murder of a girl he dated 20 years ago. The Fantastic Four, with good cause, zeroed in on Moe Bocks; they just couldn’t quite make a case. Annalisa’s hopes she might do better in solving both the old and new murders since forensics seem to improve every month.
Annalisa has extra motivation to solve both the twenty-year-old garroting of the girl and the shooting of Leo Hammond when she discovers Bocks is dating her former sister-in-law.
Unfortunately, Hammond’s trophy wife, Kayla, gives her own bizarre accounting of her husband’s murder including a frogman, “You know, a frogman. Like the diving people? He had a mask and flippers and everything.” Trophy wife, a win for originality. Kayla’s a witness and a suspect, so she can’t be totally discounted;
The book begins with a prologue. Of which Annalisa and Nick are totally unaware of. Soon Annalisa and Nick intuitively realize with the murder of Leo Hammond what’s “past is prologue” is certainly true in one way. There is no high school teacher or old lady reviewer pointing out The Shakespeare. However, there are several pasts they instinctively know to investigate to even figure out there is a prologue.
Most of us forget Shakespeare’s real meaning to the actual quote, it takes a while, but maybe Annalisa gets it, she can write her own future. Schaffhausen is subtle, she trusts the reader to understand the underpinnings of Annalisa’s occasional good decisions.
Schaffhausen writes wonderfully flawed characters, and those are usually the good guys. Annalisa consistently risks her life, her job, and her family. With Annalisa, her second greatest flaw is the pair of blinders she dons, refusing, just like the Fantastic Four, to deviate from the narrative they have independently constructed. A narrative that leads them all into blind alleys. Just like real police work.
Schaffhausen makes me feel the slush leaking into my run-down boots from the melting snow of a Chicago winter; the icy wind that seems almost permanent. I’m experiencing most everything the characters are experiencing. Yeah, thanks for that.
Annalisa stood for the dead in Gone for Good; and most everyone saw that as a betrayal. It was betrayal, the fact that she did the right thing provides cold comfort to anyone affected. Now most everything in her life is in shambles, it’s her fault, and may be impossible to mend.
The consequences continue through Long Gone as Annalisa’s family once again is affected by Annalisa’s investigation. There is one move Annalisa can make that might help rebuild her family, but she balks. She seems not to have heard Shakespeare’s “The Quality of Mercy monologue from The Merchant of Venice.
Annalisa cannot get beyond her tamped down rage, her greatest flaw. The rage is directed at most everything in her life including the greatest loss she will not admit to. The rage Annalisa keeps well hidden, especially from herself.
Schaffhausen doesn’t give her any easy outs, and few moments of grace. Her depiction of total anguish and painful conflict might require a few tissues
Long Gone, is not an easy read; it is intricate but not confusing. Again, just like life. It is also fascinating and original, and will stay with you for a long time. Chances are you will close the book thinking, ‘Now that’s a book.’
Long Gone, is at heart, an original police procedural with characters who will resonate for a long time. For those who are first discovering Annalisa Vega, you can read this exceptional book without missing any important plot points from Gone for Good. However, you will be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t read it and the Ellery Hathaway series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books for an ARC for review purposes.

Blue Wall of Silence/Blue Shield/Blue Code: These all refer to an informal unspoken code that says a police officer won’t speak up against a fellow officer if they become aware of his/her wrongdoing.

Headstrong Chicago detective Annalisa Vega is back and she’s feeling the repercussions of her actions in the first book of the series Gone for Good. For spoiler reasons I won’t go into detail, other than to say that the men in blue from the Chicago PD aren’t her biggest fans this time around due to her perceived breach of the above mentioned code, which has hurt her own family members most of all.

You know the old saying “Jumping from the frying pan into the fire”? That’s Annalisa. As if her current mess isn’t big enough, she decides to start digging into a cold case involving the murder of a young woman Josie Blanchard, in addition to her assigned investigation into the murder of long-time cop, Leo Hammond. They both have ties to the same suspect, if Annalisa can just prove it. The thing is, the three surviving members of the “Fantastic Four”, Leo’s fellow cops Tom Osborne, Frankie Vaughn and Paul Monk all have dark secrets from the past they'd like to stay hidden, and they don't need Annalisa shining the light on them.

When the death count starts to rise and the threat to Annalisa gets closer, can she and her ex-husband, Nick Carelli, solve these cases before one or both of them become the next victims?

I’ll say this: Annalisa knows her own mind, and if she’s convinced of something - stay out of her way! She has a strong moral code and definitely doesn’t let pity guide her decisions. She really wants to do right by people, even if it comes at a personal cost to her, and I always admire her dogged determination, despite her overwhelming lack of common sense at times! Her complicated relationships with Nick, her family, her childhood love, Colin Duffy, and her best friend/sister-in-law, Sassy add nice depth to the story, and it’s a cast of characters that I’m coming to care about as the series progresses.

If you’re looking for a good, solid mystery thriller, with some police procedural tossed in, it’s a great next entry in this series. It can be read alone, but I think you’ll get far more enjoyment out of it if you’ve read the first book and get to know the characters and backstory. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kelsey Navarro, who did a fabulous job with all the voicing, though initially it seemed all the male cop characters sounded the same - a bit like ‘40s gangsters. I adjusted and it was all good!

★★★★

Thanks to St. Martins Press, Dreamscape Media, NetGalley and author Joanna Schaffhausen for this ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest opinions. It’s due to be published August 9, 2022.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen is the second book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. It is about Annalisa's investigation into the murder of a fellow cop.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love the cover with simply an open window and the curtain blowing in the breeze. I don't know what it means for the story, but it is definitely intriguing. The blurb sounds thrilling, with Annalisa investigating a cop killer. The case is mixed up with her family once again. I loved book one in this series, so I am again expecting a thrill ride that I cannot help but love.
Actual Reading Experience:
What sets this series apart for me is the complex family story that is threaded through the police procedural. It plays a prominent role, allowing the characters to come to life in a way I rarely see in the sub-genre. The second book starts where the first book leaves off, and many family issues still need working through. It's always fascinating as the two main threads of the story wrap around each other, part, and then wrap around each other again in a new way.
I also love the banter between Annalisa and her ex-husband/partner, Nick. There is so much wit and chemistry between them. I can definitely see why they tried marriage. It's a shame that it didn't work out but fun that they can still work together regardless.
The mystery was the thrill ride I hoped for and took so many twists and turns. A couple of those twists were absolutely jaw-dropping. I never in a million years would have guessed the conclusion, which was quite poignant, as was the conclusion in the first book of the series. That is another attribute that sets this series apart from the others. The endings are not just a satisfying "justice served" ending, but it pulls at the heartstrings for one reason or another.
Characters:
Annalisa Vega is a detective with the Chicago PD. She lives and works with a strict moral code dictating her choices. Annalisa's mentally and physically tough, as she proves time and time again. So tough that she manages to partner with her ex-husband without letting any baggage get in the way of the job, and that can't be easy.
Narration & Pacing:
The third-person narration focuses primarily on Annalisa, the main character, and the pacing is incredibly fast. Plenty of action throughout keeps the suspense high and the pages flipping. And when someone important to the series becomes a suspect, the tension is ramped up even more.
Setting:
The story is set in Chicago – mainly within the city, but it also ventures a little way out to the suburbs.
What It Reminds Me Of:
It was reminiscent of book one in this series.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you love thrilling procedurals with a compelling and complex family plot line, you will absolutely adore this series by Joanna Schaffhausen. This series should be started with the first book, Gone for Good.

I tried to resist, but I’m addicted to this series. I love Annalisa’s character. She’s brash, bold, and hard headed. She took a lot of guff for turning her own father and brother in for murder, but she sticks to her guns.
There’s nothing like a dirty cop and this book has a batch of them.
Annalisa and Nick have to work fast to cut through all, the crime tape to get a clear picture.
I waited anxiously to see if she would realize what was in front of her the entire time.
Read it for yourself and see if she does.

Impressive is a word I'd use to describe this author after reading two of her books including the first in this series. This is the second, and my opinion hasn't changed a whit.

The star of the show is Chicago detective Annalisa Vega, who is great at detective work but in her personal life, not so much. When she learned that a couple of family members were involved in a murder - one of them her father, a former cop - she turned them in. No surprise, then, that most of her family members would just as soon not see her at Sunday dinner, and her fellow police officers think she's a snitch who should resign. On the plus side, he's still got support from her station chief and her ex-husband Nick Carelli, who has remained her work partner and friend.

As this story begins, Annalisa and Nick are called to a crime scene, where they find a very dead police officer and a very scared, but still very much alive, trophy wife. After a little digging, they determine that a rich guy who is suspected of murdering someone else but never charged did the deed this time as well. One potential problem? He's dating Annalisa's best friend, who refuses to believe he could possibly commit such a crime.

The ongoing investigation, much of which Annalisa (with a little help from Nick) is conducting on an unauthorized basis in part because of her connection to the suspect, heads for uncharted waters with the suggestion of a masked scuba diver, a bag full of money from an unknown source and what appears to be a systematic wipeout of a group known as the "Fantastic Four." Her reluctance to stand down not only angers her boss and threatens her job, but puts her square in the sights of someone, or several someones, who will do just about anything to get her to go away - alive or dead.

In short, it's another winner, and I'm already looking forward to the next installment of this entertaining series. Meantime, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

If you’ve been following my feed for a while, you know how much of a Joanna Schaffhausen fan I am. Her Ellery Hathaway series is one of my absolute favorites, and I’m becoming just as attached to Annalisa Vega.

For me, the beauty of a series like @joannaschaffhausen creates is the connection to a main character. Instead of a quick snapshot into their lives, we really get to know them and how their lives evolve. Because this is only Book 2 of Annalisa’s story, we’re still filling in details, and I’m here for all of it, but, Joanna, Annalisa needs a pet. I miss Bump.

Thanks for the opportunity to review. Link to 8/7./2022 Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg-IYr1An5g/

I pre-ordered and absolutely loved Gone for Good last year, so I was super duper excited to be approved for an advance reader’s copy of Annalisa Vega’s sequel, Long Gone, which I have been impatiently awaiting for. Gone for Good is one of those books that has stuck with me and I think about sometimes. Not to mention I read hundreds of books yearly and almost immediately forget what I read when I am done - but not these books. Joanna Schaffhausen is such a talented author with a fantastic understanding of the legal system and always a way to keep you hooked. She is easily one of my favorite authors now. I will always recommend her to everyone without solicitation!

Even though it is a sequel, much like other police procedural type series, Long Gone could be read as a standalone. The character development and backstory (mostly Annalisa’s family history) just make more sense if read in order. You’d also miss out on the dope serial killer plot in the first book.

I am not usually into pure police procedurals and that is not what this series is. It is a police procedural, crime mystery, romance, and family drama all in a proportionally perfect ratio. I hope there are many more to come in this series and we are just getting started with Annalisa!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for an advance reader’s copy of this gem in exchange for an honest review!

I always look forward to this author’s books because she never disappoints. Her characterization is perfection, with characters that are easy to empathize with and entertaining to get to know. Detective Annalisa Vega is the heroine in this action series, even though she is unpopular among her peers because she turned in her own father for his part in a murder. Having lost the support of family and detective friends, Annalisa feels like she is flying solo when she is called to the scene of the murder of Detective Leo Hammond. The more she investigates, the more dirt she finds on Leo as well as on the man she suspects, a car salesman names Bocks. I felt so bad for Annalisa since she is fighting an uphill battle getting people to believe her theories about the crime, or even listen to them. She is nothing if not determined and she is like a goddess of justice, out to find out the truth no matter the cost to her personally or professionally. There is a lot of action in this novel, with a good pace and plenty of realistic details about police work I would classify this book as a mystery/suspense as well as a police procedural, but without a lot of the gritty details that are often found in the latter. This is a book that tells a deep story with tension ramping up as Annalisa faces more danger. With intricately woven plot threads, the author tells the story of Annalisa’s desire to right the wrongs in the world and the consequences she faces from just doing her job. There are red herrings along the way, some real plot twists and a propulsive mystery that held me captive from beginning to end.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This is book 2 of the series and follows Det Annalisa Vega after she turns in her father for his role in a long ago murder and the loss of trust from her fellow police officers. Annalisa's only allies are her ex-husband and partner Nick Carelli and her boss. Anna and Nick are called out to the home of fellow Chicago police officer Leo Hammond, who has been found dead. He was a member of the renowned Fantastic Four, a group of officers known for their high case solving rate, their personal injury rate and high body count. The remaining 3 members arrive at the crime scene and protest Anna's presence but eventually tell her about smooth operator car salesman Moe Bock with whom Leo recently had a confrontation. Turns out Moe was the primary suspect in a former girlfriend's brutal murder, but was never charged. Now he is dating Anna's former sister-in-law and best friend. In another strange twist, Leo's young wife tells Annalisa about a "frogman" who had a mask and flippers, who she saw in the house.
Schaffhausen keeps you engaged from the start with her extraordinary but majorly flawed characters and her unpredictable story. Annalisa is adamant she will not be like the Fantastic Four and investigate with blinders and preconceived notions but we are all a product of our experiences in life and Anna's lead her to some mistaken presumptions. She frequently risks her own life, her job and sometimes even those close to her. Schaffhausen draws you in to Anna's obsession to uncover the truth regardless of the consequences in pursuit of doing "the right thing". The author involves your emotions in everything from the cold Chicago weather to Anna's deep-seated anger to heartache and sorrow. Pick this one up, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.